Private Companies Interested in Providing LED bulbs to the City

Pittsburgh’s plan to switch its incandescent streetlights to LED bulbs is generating interest among private companies.

Last week, the city sent out a request for proposals to install Phase 1 of the LED Streetlight Project, and about 25 businesses visited Pittsburgh today to express their interest.

Pittsburgh Energy & Utilities Manager Jim Sloss says he expects to decide from a pool of 50 to 70 proposals over the next few weeks; the city hopes to start the project October 1.

Phase 1 of the project only applies to 40 of the city’s business districts, such as areas in Downtown, Oakland, and Shadyside. The first part of the five-phase installation is expected to cost about $2.5 million, while the total project is tentatively priced at about $20 million.

Sloss says the price of LED bulbs has been dropping fairly steadily, though, and the total price tag could fall as time goes on.